MEET THE COACHES: TED SOBOLEWSKI
Farwell Family Director Of Men’s Rowing
Most, if not all, of the attendees at the Reunion Reception and Alumni Row, commented on how both were such a great opportunity to meet our current coaches as well as a chance to get to know them a bit. The Rowing Association plans to bring you coaches’ profiles in this and future editions so that we all might have a better idea of their backgrounds, accomplishments, and outlook on the season for their respective programs. We start with Coach Sobolewski.
Ted Sobolewski begins his 5th season with Stanford Rowing and looks forward to furthering the development of his squad. His tenure has seen the program further solidify its position amongst the top collegiate teams nationally, rally through both University and COVID challenges, and emerge as a group moving up the ranks in terms of speed and national ranking.
A native of Buffalo, Ted hit the rowing scene as a student–athlete in the 2005 Northeastern Freshman eight and subsequently into the 1V for the next three years. In the 1V, Sobolewski helped the Huskies make two appearances in the Grand Final of the Eastern Sprints, including a fourth–place finish in 2006. Sobolewski represented the US in two U–23 campaigns before graduating with a degree in Business Administration in 2009.
Sobolewski shifted his focus to coaching shortly thereafter, working with Boston’s Community Rowing coaching both JR’s and adult sculling. In 2010 Ted took the role of Assistant coach of Northeastern Men’s Rowing where he focused on the frosh 8 and V4, overseeing two IRA podium finishes in 2011. While at Northeastern, he established a US U23 Development center out of the Northeastern boathouse.
Ted headed South to be the Head Coach of the Princeton National Rowing Association in 2012 where he oversaw all aspects of the nation’s largest Junior program. Sobolewski led the Mercer Junior women’s crews to their best performances in history with a runner–up finish in the Eight and third–place finish in the Lightweight Eight at the 2015 Youth Nationals. The teams followed up with an unprecedented sweep of the under–19 and under–17 women’s divisions at the 2015 Royal Canadian Henley, bringing home nine gold medals. During his tenure, Ted continued to grow youth participation while working with athletes to secure D1 Rowing opportunities.
Ted made collegiate rowing his full focus in 2015 when he took the Men’s Rowing Associate Head Coach position at Northeastern under Head Coach John Pojednic. Sobolewski worked both on the water and off the water with attention to stroke development, training regimen, expanded recruiting, and increasing the overall size of the team.
The Rowing Association spoke briefly to Sobolewski on his outlook for 2023–24 and asked him how he feels as the team heads into winter break:
“I’m really pleased with how this team is coming together. Our group of seven seniors have really stepped up as leaders. Add to that the continued development of our mid–classes and a frosh class that has hit the boathouse ready to compete, and I feel good about how this team should stack up. The entire squad knows that the work we do this winter will ultimately determine this, and they plan to return early in January to start. I’m happy to report Travis Senf and Nick Woerle, both Class of ‘24, have been elected co–captains. We look forward to seeing you at races this Spring!”
Soblolewski contributes a great breadth of rowing experience across junior, collegiate and national levels to Stanford. Ted is all about developing great athletes, building team belief, and driving competitive excellence at the highest level of collegiate rowing. Ted values team grit and integrity in his process–based approach to building great teams, believing in both academic and athletic excellence. We’ve seen the competitive trademark of his crews on display as the 1V has regularly pushed Washington and Cal, attacking throughout the race course. Most recently, the Men rowed to a 5th Place IRA finish in 2021 and an 8th in 2023 after narrowly missing the A final. As Coach Sobolewski continues to make Stanford the school where top Junior athletes want to row, we expect the team will add speed and depth, delivering more great Stanford crews.
The Rowing Association would like to thank Ted for bringing his passion and commitment to Stanford Rowing!
